Supported by Friends Since Sandy Struck

By Anusha Shrivastava

Homes throughout New Jersey and New York were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

Hurricane Sandy knocked over a large tree in our front yard at about 4 p.m. last Monday, giving us a headstart over the rest of our town — which was plunged into darkness by 10 p.m.

The toppling tree pulled down not only our power line but also our internet connection. Since then, we have had no power, heat, landline, or internet and no place to cook.

The first evening, we went over to a colleague’s house in the neighborhood because they have a gas stove.

That was the start of a pattern where, each day, we went to a different friend’s place to either heat the food we bought or cooked a meal. None of our neighbors had power, so we used our fireplaces to keep ourselves warm.

The first few evenings were fun, since we really had no option but to cook together, chat and relax.

But the uncertainty of when we would get power back and when the kids would return to school began gnawing at us, and by Friday, we were in despair. We drove to a friend’s place in Connecticut, and spent the weekend there.

On Sunday, our house was still freezing and we could not spend another night there, regardless of how many comforters and blankets we piled on. When a friend in town invited us to stay with her, we jumped at the offer. We’ve been at her home since, and are unsure when we will move back into our house.

The power company has not indicated when we will get power back and estimates on their web site show it could well be next week.

Until we get some of the basics back, we will rely on our friends for a gas stove and shelter. School reopened today and checking into a hotel would only complicate our commute and prove expensive, given it would be for an indefinite period.

At last count, six families have hosted us and we are hugely grateful to them. Now I am wondering: What I can do for them once we are back in our house?

Readers, how would you thank/repay multiple friends who may have taken care of you in an unusual situation?

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The Juggle examines the choices and tradeoffs people make as they juggle work and family. The site provides readers with news, insight and tips on parenting, workplace issues, commuting, caregiving and other issues busy readers with families face. It is also a place for readers to share and compare their own work-and-family experiences and to seek advice and recommendations. The Juggle is includes regular contributions from other staffers at the Journal. Contact the Juggle with ideas or suggestions at thejuggle@wsj.com